You will need to read 1 Kings 13 to understand this article. It is not complicated. It should be taken as a serious admonition to obey the Bible no matter who is attempting to convince you to go in a different direction. No matter how much older or experienced anyone is, including an older pastor, the Bible is older than they are, and it is our sole infallible authority. If they are in disagreement with the Word of God then go with Scripture.
Notice that this young man is called a “man of God” fifteen times in this chapter, he was bold, he prophesied specifically and accurately, God protected him, and God answered his prayer for healing for Jeroboam. (Side note: Notice how Jeroboam is a rebel and rises up against the man of God, but when his body is touched he pleads, “PREACHER, PRAY FOR ME!!!! How typical of many rebels.)
This sin went on in “BETHEL.” It is interesting that “Bethel” means “the house of God.” The sin was cried out against in BETHEL. Sin should still be dealt with in the house of God, the New Testament church (1 Timothy 3:15). Over and over again in the New Testament it is plainly revealed that sin should not be ignored in a church, but that it should be graciously and Scripturally confronted for the glory of God, the purity of the church, and the good of the erring one.
Did you catch a few simple facts about this preacher? Here is what I’ve noticed:
He Knew What To Do From The Lord
He had the Word of the Lord on the matter. You and I can also know what to do. We have the Word of God. You can know what to do if you WANT to.
He Let Another Prophet Talk Him Out Of Obedience
If this older prophet was one to listen to why was he sitting by quietly in Bethel in the midst of the idolatry? So many older preachers and Christians will attempt to talk a young, Biblical, zealous preacher or believer out of obedience. HOW SAD AND WICKED! Thank The Lord for all who promote strict obedience to the Word of God, but beware of the others.
He Died
Many CLAIM to want to know what to do. They really just want to find someone to tell them to do what they want to do. Go “TO THE LAW AND TESTIMONY.” Check out Isaiah 8:19,20 and Matt 4:4. Proverbs 14:12 tells us “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
The Bible plainly reveals that obedience to the Word of God is life. From other Scriptures we plainly see that disobedience is DEATH. This account demonstrates that perfectly.
Beware of anyone that attempts to influence you to disobey the Word of God, and remember that older is not necessarily wiser, as we have clearly seen in 1 Kings 13.